New Beer Sunday (Week 760)

With very few exceptions, Rom-Com's are awful; like a bad situation comedy awful. JMO, obviously, since lots of people still buy tickets for them.

I was going to go with Casablanca as my favorite romantic movie (and it is), but since that one has already been mentioned, I'll go with The African Queen; Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn... hard to beat that.



Now, for the beer:
Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest (Bitburger 2019)
ABV: 6.0%
IBU: 20



Aroma is malt-forward, caramel, although a bit subdued.

Look is amber with a tall slightly off-white head lasting for awhile. Moderately carbonated.

Taste is very much in the Märzen/amber substyle, malty, caramel, bread, subtle sweetness, slightly herbal, transitioning to some bitterness in the finish. Floral and spice in the background. An overall malty/sticky feel left on the tongue in the aftertaste.

Mouth feel is medium-thin, as expected for the style.

Overall, an enjoyable, well done Märzen.


L: 4.0 | S: 3.75 | T: 3.75 | F: 3.5 | O: 3.75 | BA rating: 3.74* and an estimated rDev in the -4.8% range


*from my spreadsheet; no review entered yet; that will await the second one.

 

I have certainly been a pretty big movie nut and fan, so I would love to answer this

In no particular order, not so much romance in all of these, but are definitely dramas dealing with relationships and the problems we all face in one form or another.

• Cinema Paradiso
• When Harry Met Sally
• In The Mood For Love (Director Wong, Kar Wai)
• Annie Hall
• All The Real Girls
• 3 Iron (Korean film)
• Broken Flowers

 

Among romantic films, my wife and I like Amelie, but also like the December holiday films from the 1940's, Holiday Inn, Christmas in Connecticut, The Shop around the Corner...
I attended the IPA fest yesterday (my first "beer fest)." It was quite enjoyable and involved my first Uber experience. The Bros. and the brewers and the attendees were all cheerful and pleasant. My wife did not attend so I set up a mini IPA-Pale tasting at home today. I teach physics and teach the accompanying calculus to my students before they learn it in math class.
This pairing includes Derivative, a Galaxy hopped pale ale from Proclamation Ale Co. and Integral, an IPA from Port City.

The Derivative is opaquely cloudy, pale orange can pour with a 1 cm fluffy cap. The aroma is rich with pineapple and orange blossoms. The flavor matches and includes a bit of grapefruit zest. The hop bitterness balances the fruitiness. The finish is somewhat dry. This is a very enjoyable pale ale.
Integral presents a clear, golden bottle pour with a thin white cap. The aroma is light with a bit of orange and pine, but some Simcoe? stank too. The flavor is of melon and some tangerine with some cracker-like malt notes, and the Simcoe-like hop bite. The body is light and the finish is clean.

 

NBS beer #2



Double Burnt Caramel

Clown Shoes
American Brown Ale | 11% ABV

3.75/5 rDev +11.9% | Average: 3.35
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

L- The beer pours a dark glossy brown. The head is a 2 fingers of mocha foam. This recedes to a thin film leaving no lacing behind.
S-The nose is strong in vanilla and caramel, consequently it's very sweet. It smells very much like a crème soda.
T-Up front you get the caramel. Once you get used to that then the vanilla takes over mid palate. It's sweet. Not as sweet as the nose thankfully, but still sweeter than I'd really like. There is bitterness present, but it never really takes over.
F-The mouthfeel overall is on the lighter side of medium. The carbonation is light. The beer finishes wet.
O-This one tastes more like a alcoholic soda than a brown ale. I find it enjoyable enough that I'll finish it, but I wouldn't feel compelled to purchase it again.

 

Sorry to hear that , and I’m bummed a bit. Good luck to you, and after you hit your goals come sneak a beer. I’m on that fence as well, my BP is really good, but I’m much heavier than I need to be as well.

 

Other Half Breakfast of Champers


Pours a clouded, brighter golden color with a small head, which disappears immediately after pouring.


Smells is surprisingly muted, with a note of tart lemons and unripe oranges coming to light among a lighter saltiness.


Has a lighter, sticky mouthfeel with an initial aqueous softness, which turns pungently effervescent during its finish, revealing lots and lots of sugars.


Tastes like fanta, inheriting a lighter tartness, which becomes apparent during the beer‘s finish. Apart from that, the beer is pretty disappointing since there is no real taste evolution on the palate, nor is it close to being thirst quenching as a real Berliner Weisse should be. It has got an unpleasant ongoing artificial sweetness to it, which dominates the flavors throughout with an initial jammy peak.


If you like soda pops, this one is for you.

 

One of the advantages of my recent move to Western, PA is the ability to jump on the light rail from my house in the South Hills and ride 30 minutes to downtown Pittsburgh. It's a pleasant walk from Station Square up the Monogohela River to visit my favorite tavern on the South Side. They have a brand new beer on tap, which really is hitting the spot.

Fat Head's Touch of Green Wet-Hopped IPA Overall Rating = 4.28

A - Almost clear golden-orange with a 1.5-finger white head and nice, sheeted lace

S - Fresh cut pineapple, grassy/herbal/green hops, toaster pastry

T - Bounteous wet-hop flavor that as the name suggests, isn't too green/leafy tasting. It's certainly grassy/herbal/mildly-dank tasting but also very fresh tasting like just-picked celery. Like in the aroma, there's a toasted pastry undercurrent along with pine and citrus.

M - Medium body and carbonation. Resinous and lightly prickly.

O - It's very good. Tastes like Head Hunter with a ton of wet hops added; perhaps in the whirlpool and the fermenter. Try it if you can.

 

Sand City's Secret Spot Hemlock Cove.
4.17/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours a cloudy yellow-orange with a one inch white head that left a multitude of small spots of lacing. Smell is predominantly citrus with earthy notes and a bit of pepper. Tastes of grapefruit, grapefruit pith, lemon, lemon peel, pine, earthy notes, floral elements, a touch of black pepper and a hint of malt. Medium bodied, soft carbonation, medium bitterness and a lingering dry finish.

 

Here's what it looks like in the glass

 

A lot going on in a couple pages today...

Ok...not much of a romantic movie fan, but there are some that cross the genre lines a bit, which probably isn't surprising since I look at beer as having similarly blurred boundaries. One movie, which I think is also arguably a best of all time, would be Bogart and Hepburn in African Queen. And a similar theme from a different era would be Romancing the Stone, where I enjoyed the chemistry between the beautiful Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglass. So romance and action and comedy blended works for me.

So...some serious things to consider as well. I am happy to see people taking the steps they need to take to enjoy living. When I was a newbie here, among other fine folks who actually helped a newbie figure out the ropes directly or indirectly... @utopiajane and @cavedave - glad to see both posting today for different reasons. I will never forget exchanging porch bombs with Dave, learning that are palates were pretty similar. Lots of fun discussions with Maria, and learning the lingo of tasting from someone so gifted. As we read these posts from our friends, and some from a few weeks ago, maybe they can serve to remind us all to take care of ourselves physically and mentally, and make the sometimes difficult decisions we need to make. I have a motorcycle for sale as my example, where risk now outweighs reward.

I would think that any of our friends here making changes in life would be welcome to contribute to the community at large and to check in here on NBS whenever they want. Somebody has to keep an eye on us as we sit on the Group W bench playin' with the pencils...

I will be back later with a highly hyped beer that I am actually pretty confident will at least meet expectations.

 

Like giving, receiving and reviewing new beer?

Join the NBS BIF! The sign up thread is now open:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/nbs-bif-10-sigh-up-thread.622562/

As an added incentive, anyone who joins today will be added in a raffle to win their choice of one these two steins and some PA Oktoberfests to fill it. (Or, if you’re overglasswared already, you can Beer It Forward). More pics and details in the thread.

 

Nice list! I'm leaning Annie Hall myself, if that counts. I've certainly seen it enough times that I could probably quote every scene...

Today I'm starting off with a new one from Zero Gravity-

Loral Lager

I don't think they're calling this one an IPL, but it certainly fits the bill. Hops do dominate, although the feel is pretty crisp and dry. The mildly bready flavor platform hits the mark as well. As to balance, however, it's more Pilsner in terms of bitterness than IPA. But these super fresh Loral hops are definitely the star of the show: extremely floral, lychee, ripe pear and some kumquat. It's really sprightly and light on its feet, too. I'm really loving it, and will definitely be going for another after this one. Right now I'm on the line between an A and A- (4.4). Very unique, and well done, Zero Gravity! And really a perfect change-up from all of the O'fests I'm having lately.

 

Interesting question today. For me, James L. Brooks has written some very realistic love stories in his films. Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News, and As Good As It Gets are about people who aren’t the easiest to like, let alone love, but I find myself rooting for them and hoping they find love and happiness, and a lot of the scenes are very real, funny, and touching.

The Jack Nicholson “You make me want to be a better person” speech from As Good As It Gets is a great scene, but the below is one of my favorite scenes from any movie.



Anyway, to beer. I got this from my brother on one of his trips around Florida recently. He said he was going to Cycle and wanted to know if I wanted anything. Unfortunately it was the day before their anniversary party, but I don’t think it would have been nice for me to make him stand in line for a limited release. So when he told me they had a collab between Cycle and Bottle Logic among the choices when he was there, it was an easy decision.

I like when a stout has dark brown colors and head/lacing that’s different than the normal white foam. This one had a tannish/rosè hue to a minimal and not very long lived head. Practically no lacing. Bits of tiny particulates floating on the top. Smell is sweet cocoa, a bit of tangy berry, hints of vanilla, and a mild roasted malt base with a boozy alcohol barrel presence. Taste is very well balanced - berry, chocolate, barrel all work together with nothing overwhelming the others. For a big barrel aged beer, it’s light bodied. Slightly oily feel. Mild alcohol presence.

Overall, this beer is a real winner due to the big balanced flavors. The barrel presence is subtle, which is a big plus. Extremely glad my brother picked it up for me. First stout I’ve had that Bottle Logic was involved in, second I’ve had from Cycle. Excellent. 4.63

New beer, new music. Weezer going into full 80’s pop metal mode. Hope Rivers didn’t steal @DoctorZombies’ wristbands.

 

Good morning and happy New [BANISHED] Sunday, BAs. Kind of a double meaning today, but as @cavedave and @AyatollahGold are clearly by no means "banished", their absence will be felt. Best of luck to both of you, and I'll raise this one in your honor.

Crux Fermentation Project
In The Pocket, 2019 [BANISHED] Series- Barrel-Aged Rustic Saison with Brettanomyces





I'm going to go a little unconventional here, as the aroma, description, and appearance all demand attention at once. Aged in red wine barrels leaves zero indication in the dark brass body, but the aroma explodes of the red grapes must. Brilliantly clear with a quickly fading off white head which leaves absolutely no trace of existing at all.

Backpedaling to the aroma, buried deep beneath the barrel and wine is a delicate and funky acidity. Green apple skins with a touch of peppery spice.

While no stand out Saison characteristics pop, this is equally like drinking a 50/50 blend of Cabernet and a no frills American Wild Ale. Funky and sour, tons of barrel, and that intense tannic finish of our favorite grape adult beverages.

Along those lines, heavy booze warmth accommodates a thin and slick body. Balanced but just favoring a SweetTart likeness, and dangerously smooth despite the 9.9% advertisement.

While a good and unique experience, this is probably my least favorite of the [BANISHED] series I've had. One and done but still tons of fun.

3.96, rDev -3.6%

Cheers.

 

Here's to @cavedave ! I've been on blood pressure, heart and cholesterol medicine, among others for 10 or more years. Been all cut up and have stents and Dacron tubing in my legs from smoking cigarettes. Took Chantix and got my brain all rewired. I fear bee's more than anything. I swell up so bad. I'll make 66 in November and one of my joys left in life is the Grandson and some craft beer. I know I ain't far behind you. I wish you the best and a quick recovery. Keep us informed. Some of us might be able use the info. Godspeed.



4.45/5 rDev +7.5% | Average: 4.14
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Dark and rich looking. Not much head. Smells of light molasses and salty air. Tastes of light molasses mainly and a hint of the Bourbon barrel. I notice a touch of heat which is always pleasant in a stout. Very smooth and the alcohol is well hidden. Overall an excellent stout from Stone Brewing. Beer geekery notwithstanding.

 

Dave,

Let me first say I'm grateful that your condition was discovered when it was. I think we all owe that hornet a debt of gratitude. There's nothing more important than our health and our loved ones. I trust you'll receive the best possible medical care and that this lifestyle change will turn out to be a blessing. I've always enjoyed your contributions to BA - particularly to NBS. Your sharp insights and witty writing style have made every post a pleasure to read and think about. And on a personal note I've enjoyed the times our paths have crossed at breweries - Rushing Duck and Equilibrium. I wish you many years of health, happiness, and good times. And I hope you'll visit NBS to share your stories of mushroom gathering and life in general. We care.

Very best wishes!

 

It's nice to see a post from you on a Sunday afternoon again, Maria. I hope all is well with you!